EXCLUSIVE: Ashley Blake says sorry for pub brawl

SACKED BBC TV presenter Ashley Blake today apologised for scarring a teenager for life in a pub brawl.

SACKED BBC TV presenter Ashley Blake today apologised for scarring a teenager for life in a pub brawl.

Blake, 40, of Sutton Coldfield, was convicted earlier this month of unlawfully wounding 17-year-old Greg Jones by hitting him with a 3ft patio umbrella pole. And yesterday, the Midlands Today reporter was dismissed “with immediate effect” by the BBC following an internal inquiry into the incident.

But today, speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Blake for the first time told of his sorrow at the injuries he caused during the fight in January at The Place 2B on Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield, the pub he then owned.

He said: “I am still trying to come to terms with how such a wonderful occasion of an 18th birthday party for a member of my staff turned so violent so quickly.

“This resulted in a young man getting injured in the chaos.

“It was not my intention to hurt anyone whilst defending myself and others, and for that I am truly sorry.”

As well as unlawful wounding, Blake was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice by throwing the offending pole into a neighbouring garden centre in an attempt to conceal it from police.

He will return to Birmingham Crown Court next month for sentencing, and has already been warned by Judge Peter Carr that he faces an “almost inevitable” jail sentence.

Blake has already expressed how he is “terrified” at the prospect of jail, and that “I don’t know how I will cope with prison life”.

Today he spoke of how close friends and family were enabling him to remain positive about the future, and that whatever happened he wanted to continue to help other people.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “I have been overwhelmed with support from friends, family, colleagues and viewers which has kept me strong through this traumatic time, and I’m grateful.

“My profile has enabled me to work with many charity and community organisations and it is my intention to continue this valuable work.”

Blake also made a warm comment towards his former employer, adding: “I have been proud and privileged to have worked for the BBC.

“I have enjoyed almost a decade of wonderful opportunities it has brought me.

“It is with great sadness that my career with the corporation has ended in this way.

Blake, who lives with his partner of six years, Jessica Hayes, was brought up in Lozells in a single-parent, mixed-race family.

In the last decade he carved out a successful career with the BBC, working for Watchdog and the current affairs show Inside Out as well as regularly presenting Midlands Today.

This followed an early adulthood of petty crime, including two counts of theft in 1986, three more in 1987 and one in 1993.

In 1988 he was also convicted of handling stolen goods and altering documents following a road traffic accident and in 1990 of driving while disqualified.

After his conviction, he said: “I faced the difficulties that inner city life brings.

“It was as a result of getting mixed up with the wrong people. What I did during my past was silly, juvenile behaviour.”

Today, he added: “It’s largely down to Jessica that I am surviving the pressure at the moment. She is my rock.”

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